n

n

nUnder each red peppercap, a crack formed, seeping a red glow and a bloody substance.

nThe Toad's symbiosis with the redsilk algae gave the color of their peppercaps while 'stoking the furnace' within their bodies, as Fin once described the red-orange glow of the Toad's eyes.

nThose eyes were a timer.

nAs long as the eyes didn't fully open, Krow had time.

nThey were lucky that Peppercap Toads were stone-element-natured. They slumbered until something woke them, then their retaliation was overkill.

nHe learned from the warren of shotbark rabbits that, despite having the effect halved on monsters above Lvl 10, the numbing properties of Minor Paralyzing Mist Vials stacked as long as the mist wasn't allowed to disspate.

nPeppercap Toad Lvl 37

nHP: 10 000MP: 200

nHaha.

nA bit desperate, Krow triggered Shadowbind.

nSuccess.

n0:00:00:14

nJust fifteen seconds?

nGah, he'll take it.

nKrow cracked more mist vials.

nThe breeze wafted a sweet scent past his nose. Krow quickly glanced behind. That scent was…

nYes, Menrike's aunt had lit a mound of fresh Tasseline Verdant Herb and was sending the smoke toward him. Or toward the Toads, rather.

nIt wasn't the first time he'd smelled that cloying sweet burned scent.

nMinor Paralysis. Minor Poison. Minor Befuddlement.

n-1% HP.

nHe grimaced at the status warnings.

nBut whoa, that aunt, she went all out.

nHe could appreciate the thought. They were this close to death, so why not take this small chance that would either kill them on their own terms or save them?

nTasseline Verdant Herb could be smoked.

nLike opium.

nAnd like opium, it had similar effects on the body.

nKrow's mask could mitigate some of the effects, but an overdose of this magnitude?

nTasseline Verdant Herb was soporific, used in anesthetics and the player-made Slumberbomb potion. The Slumberbomb, in fact, took Peppercap Powder from the Toads as one of its ingredients.

nHe paused in opening Mist vials to drink a Fool's Antidote.

n0:00:09:58

nHis HP started dropping, but the debuffs due to Paralyzing Mist combining with the Herb smoke disappeared. Fool's Antidote lasted ten minutes in scenarios of continuous poisoning, and he'd get a notification if his HP dropped under 75%.

nStill, their efforts weren't doing anything.

nThe Toad's eyes were still widening.

nHe gestured to the draculkar to make more smoke, triggered Shadowbind again.

nExtend?

n

"Yes!

"

nNormally, Spells triggered and created a single effect, like Double-jump. But some Spells, like Firecoil, could be extended in duration as long as MP was fed to it. It appeared Shadowbind needed – he flickered an eye to his stats – 50% mastery to gain the ability to extend the spell effects.

nIt didn't help that much. After using Shadowbind twice, he had little MP left.

nIt only added up to twenty seconds.

nTwenty seconds that he kept filling the air with Paralyzing Mist.

nThen, incredibly, the slivers of glowing red under the tall peppercap earhorns of the Toad started to wane and dim.

nThe Toad's eyelids slowly fell, each increment a boost of hope in Krow's heart.

nKrow tossed more Mist vials at the foot of the Toad, placed the last of the crate in his Inventory, and carefully backed away.

nHis boots slid, making him flail for balance before he could get a purchase on the algae-covered ground.

nThe redsilk algae was as smooth and fine as its namesake.

nHe jumped to avoid the wash of red spreading from the grove of 'mushrooms'.

nThe Peppercap Toad's eyes closed fully.

nOnly then did he shakily exhale his relief.

nHe gestured to the two draculkar at the edge of the clearing.

nTogether, they ran.

nThey didn't stop until they got to the waterfall pool below Cerkanst.

nKrow dug his hands in a naturally-formed basin of water and splashed handfuls on his face.

n

"I...I'm sorry.

"

nKrow glanced up, to the penitent Menrike.

nHer aunt had set her straight it seemed.

n

"I'm sorry I didn't listen.

"

nHe nodded, feeling the sincerity of her apology.

nEven if her behavior was that of a spoiled child, it looked like she was a good kid.

n

"I won't wander off anymore and I'll be more careful.

"

nKrow sighed. He patted her on the head.

"The Grandshield Forest is full of dangers, alright? Listen to your aunt.

"

n

"Mm! Here!

" She grabbed his hand, dropped two potion vials in it.

"They're Low Heal potions I made. Since you're a hunter, you can use them, right?

"

nKrow stared at the vials for a long moment.

nHe turned his eyes to the aunt, who was looking toward Cerkanst with the solemnity of seeing a hometown after having escaped certain death. But Krow saw the brief upward curl of amusement to her lips; don't think he didn't notice!

nHe seriously reconsidered his forgiveness.

nIf he said he didn't forgive her, then he shouldn't have to drink these, right?

nLow Heal was not supposed to look like it was drool from the maw of a hellbeast.

nHeal potions were a healthy vivid red.

nThe potion in the vials was black with red flecks, looking like rotten blood and bile.

nHis hand flashed out, grabbed the monster casually hanging from a low branch.

nPygmy Slothcat, Common, the size and long-haired furry adorability of a Siberian housecat, useless for ingredients, but very useful when keeping pest animals and insects away from a garden.

nIt protested in his arms, with cries that sounded like a rubber duck being squeezed.

n

"It's so adorable!

" Menrike skipped closer, eyes wide and shiny in fascination.

nKrow fed her Low Heal to it, trapping the slothcat against his chest.

n

"What are you doing? Is it sick?

"

nHe let the slothcat go.

nIt jumped onto the small branches of a shrub, hissing furiously at them. It attempted to climb, in the fastest way a slothcat could, but then it stilled.

nIt fell off the bush, its entire body frozen in the pose of climbing.

n

"It's sick now.

" Krow shrugged.

nThe slothcat's limbs relaxed.

nMenrike looked like she was about to cry, staring at the slothcat.

n

"We better dispose of it properly.

" Krow nodded as the last dregs of life left the monster.

"It died fairly fast. The body might be poisonous.

"

nShe looked at him, pale. Her tears turned into a glare.

"You! I made up my mind not to blame you for throwing me away so far but--

"

n

"Better bury it deeply,

" the aunt interrupted serenely.

"So it couldn't be dug up.

"

n

"Aunt?!

"

n

"We take responsibility for the things we create, my niece.

" She patted the girl's arm, turned to Krow.

"Thank you for your care this day. You call yourself Krow, yes?

"

nHe bowed, smiled.

"I do. I'm sure we have not met, or I'd remember you, lady...?

"

nMenrike blinked at him, aghast.

"Are you...are you flirting with my aunt? She's older than you by two hundred years!

"

n

"Two hundred? Are you certain it isn't two decades?

" Krow lifted his brows in surprise.

nThe aunt laughed, eyes crinkling.

n

"Ugh. I'm leaving. Aunt, I'll take your basket.

" She stomped away.

n

"Perhaps you would accompany us to the village head's office, young one?

"

n

"It wouldn't be a hardship,

" Krow agreed.

"But I still don't know your name.

"

nThe older woman smiled.

"Jamutaltei bal Thaunal.

"

n....eh?

n